Michigan Internet Partner Services Guidance
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Michigan Internet Partner Services Guidance 1 Table of Contents Purpose/Benefits…………………………………………………………………………………..…page 3 Confidentiality………………………………………………………..……………..………………..page 3-4 Required Training…………………………………………………………………..………………..page 4-5 Getting Started: Using Mobile Applications (apps)…………….……………………..page 5 Staffing…………………………………………………………………………………………..……..…page 5-6 Creating Profiles and Screen Names……………………………………………………..…..page 6-7 Using apps for investigations/to locate people…………………..……………………..page 7 Referrals for IPS……………………………………………………………………………………..….page 7 Using apps for field investigations……………………………………..………………………page 8 Standard protocol messages for partners on adult dating applications (sending direct messages)…………………………………………….………………………...…page 8-10 Notification of Partners……………………………………………….………………………..….page 10-11 Supervision and Quality Assurance…………………….……………………………………..page 11 Evaluation of IPS Use…………………………………………………………………………………page 12-13 Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………………..page 13 Glossary of Acronyms…………………………………………………………………………..……page 14 Appendices Appendix A – Confidentiality Agreement Sample…………………………………….…page 15 Appendix B – Social Networking Sites & Dating apps & Investigational Strategies Available by App…………………………………………………………………….…page 16-17 Appendix C – Eliciting Websites & Mobile Dating Apps………………………….…..page 18-19 Appendix D – Internet Partner Services Notification Log Sheet Sample……..page 20 Appendix E – Follow up Messages……………………………………………………………..page 21-22 Appendix F – Incident Documentation Log Sample…………………………………….page 23 2 Purpose/Benefits The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Division of HIV & STI Programs (MDHHS/DHSP) has a long history of providing quality services to citizens living with or affected by HIV, STIs and other emerging infections with needed care and supportive services. Over the years, the increased use of many social media platforms, such as social networking sites and mobile dating apps, has resulted in clients being unable to provide public health with needed contact information (names, addresses or phone numbers) to notify exposed partners. Given the impact of the use of these platforms has had on our ability to notify partners of their possible exposure, the MDHHS/DHSP created this guidance for local public health departments to conduct Internet Partner Services (IPS). For the purpose of this guidance, the term IPS is used broadly to capture the use of a wide array of technologies for partner services, which would include, but not limited to, the internet, social networking sites, email, mobile devices, mobile applications, and texting. Also, the term DIS is used broadly to include any staff who interview clients, elicit partner information, and perform partner notification. Increasing interview rates and improving elicitation of partners is key to meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) metrics and to effectively intervene in the course of infection. It is important for MDHHS/DHSP and local health departments to investigate all known and suspected sex and needle-sharing partners of HIV and other reportable STIs to ensure they are provided medical evaluation as well as applicable treatment and follow-up referrals. The use of social networking sites, mobile dating apps and other technologies is considered IPS. The use of IPS does not replace traditional partner services, however, should be viewed as an additional tool to contact individuals that are otherwise unreachable by traditional partner services methods. In this regard, MDHHS/DHSP is recommending local health departments begin to integrate IPS into their partner notification delivery. Confidentiality/Ethics Adherence to standards of confidentiality and ethics is imperative. All the same confidentiality protections and ethics that are applicable to traditional in-person discussions for partner notification are equally important when conducting IPS and should be adhered to. When implementing protocols to conduct IPS, confidentiality agreements should be signed and reviewed annually by staff designated to conduct or participate in partner services investigations who will be using online social networking sites/mobile dating apps. The use of confidentiality agreements should also include information technology (IT) and other staff that may view or have access to confidential information. These agreements will include statements about the consequence of inappropriate use of the state health department and/or local health department accounts, email addresses, and user profiles. The agreement should contain statements related to access to confidential email or instant messaging (IM). Prior to implementation, agencies need to ensure HIPAA compliance, use of firewalls, security of wireless networks (if used), and that a policy is in place permitting staff to conduct IPS from their home computers, cell phones, and laptops is in place. See Appendix A for sample Confidentiality Agreement. Screen names, email addresses, health status, and/or personal information obtained can be used as identifying information and will be held to the same level of confidentiality as a client’s first name and surname. Under no circumstances should staff share any information other than with affiliated DIS staff on a need-to-know basis. Every reasonable effort will be taken to ensure all emails or messages are sent 3 to the intended recipients. To conduct IPS, staff will need approved access to internet-based social network sites and mobile dating applications that are traditionally blocked by state/local servers. See Appendix B for the List of Social Networking Sites and Dating Apps, & Investigational Strategies by app. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software will always need to be kept up-to-date and used on computers used for this work. The designated staff engaging in the work should be aware that their accounts will be monitored and audited and should be prepared to maintain accountability. Required Training The effective implementation of IPS is a result of experienced staffing, strong supervision, and a comprehensive training program. For this to be successful, STI/HIV programs will need to provide DIS staff with additional training specific to IPS. Training will be provided by local/state health departments, capacity building organizations, and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Staff will also be provided with ongoing professional development as this technology changes constantly and it is critical that as new technology emerges and existing sites/apps evolve, staff are staying current. Below is a list of processes and trainings that are important when addressing social networking sites and mobile applications access for IPS: ● DIS program policies and procedures - Revising interview format to include questions about on-line partners - Defining what information can be shared and/or discussed over the internet with an index client and their sexual/needle-sharing partners - Setting up online profiles - Developing standardized online correspondence to ensure consistent communication by DIS ● Basics of the Internet – including, but not limited to, types of web-based networks (internet service providers/dating applications, websites, chatrooms, IM services etc.) as well as online terminology and iconography. - Training on chat rooms and dating apps, including the differences between the two and applicable terminology, etiquette etc. - Cultural competency training, including how and why people use the internet for sex seeking - Internet safety and confidentiality levels of the various dating apps and online social media platforms - Review of terms of services of each dating app - Hands-on website experience examining different dating apps, and the groups that use them (app stimulator) Program staff working in this area should spend time exploring dating app sites frequented by target populations to gain familiarity with how these sites work and to understand them from a public health perspective. Surfing the internet should be an ongoing activity to stay current as different dating apps 4 sites become popular and as DIS ask all clients about partners they meet via the internet. Usage of various types of sites can vary significantly by demographic or geography. Getting Started – Using Mobile applications (apps) While there are many common considerations related to partner services, there are some unique considerations that must be addressed before implementing the use of IPS to access index clients and/or partners who may need assistance. For online dating sites, descriptive details elicited during the DIS interview with the person living with HIV (such as race, height, weight, and unusual identifying characteristics) should be enough to determine the correct partner is being contacted. It is also required that DIS and other staff involved with PS should obtain detailed descriptive information about the partner’s internet profile (such as username or profile name, age, weight, height, HIV status, interests, number and type of pictures, and town and state the profile is listed in) as well as the accuracy of the information listed. This information will be shared to the designated DIS to assist in the confirmation of identity before any messages are sent through any mobile dating application (app). It is important to remember that dating applications, where clients meet sex partners and from which internet partner services (IPS) is being conducted, do not have a public health